BioBTX starts construction of PETRA circular aromatics plant
- Plant will produce approximately 10,000 tons/year of renewable aromatic oil (benzene, toluene, xylenes) plus about 8,000 tons of sustainable by-products.
- Construction on site starts early 2027 with plant start-up expected in mid-2028.
- The in‑house ICCP process converts mixed plastic waste (and potentially biomass) to drop‑in BTX, targeting a 70–80% lifecycle GHG reduction in the first plant.
- Project financing includes equity from Invest-NL, Infinity Recycling, Covestro, NOM and Carduso Capital, debt from Colesco Capital, FEAS and the Province of Groningen, and a DEI+ subsidy from RVO.
Project overview
BioBTX has taken a final investment decision for PETRA, the first commercial-scale plant to directly convert plastic waste into renewable aromatics using its ICCP technology. The decision completes a 14-year development path from the company’s founding in 2012 through lab and pilot demonstrations to commercial implementation.
Capacity and outputs
The plant is designed to produce roughly 10,000 tonnes per year of renewable aromatic oil (benzene, toluene and xylenes) and about 8,000 tonnes per year of sustainable by-products. The BTX products are presented as drop-in replacements for fossil-derived aromatics.
Technology and emissions
ICCP (Integrated Catalytic Cracking Process) integrates a thermal cracking step without oxygen followed by catalytic upgrading of released gases to BTX. Separating the steps improves reaction control, catalyst life and enables processing of mixed or contaminated waste streams. The first plant is expected to achieve a 70–80% lifecycle greenhouse‑gas reduction, with potential for higher, carbon‑negative savings in future deployments.
Timeline, site and deployment
Permits, engineering and financing are in place, main suppliers and contractors selected, and process module manufacturing has started. On‑site construction starts early 2027 at Chemie Park Delfzijl, with start-up expected mid‑2028. The facility will create around 35 jobs phased in over the coming year and serve as a commercial demonstration to enable larger and diversified installations, including possible biomass feedstocks.
Financing and partners
Equity investors include Invest-NL, Infinity Recycling, Covestro, NOM and Carduso Capital; debt financing is provided by Colesco Capital, FEAS and the Province of Groningen, supplemented by a DEI+ subsidy from RVO.
Source: BioBTX